Mater_Horn

How could Franzen miss that (almost) empty net in the PP?

Ok, Brunner didn't deliver tonight. Apart from that, it was still a good game by him. He'll deliver more if he's in with good linemates. Could be even Tootoo or Tatar if you ask me. He just needs guys next to him who are working very hard and are able to give great passes.

WOW. Great game by the Wings!

SJ Sharks are a good team, and they played well tonight. Very aggressive in the offensive zone.

Wings defense had one of their best performances this season.

And thanks Brunner for finally making my wish come true. Although late, but it still counts, right?

Good job by the Red Wings defense. And Kudos to Gustavsson!

SJ is forechecking heavily and pressing hard.

Overall, good game by the Wings. Time for a goal now (sniper Brunner?).

It will require a lot of work and much energy to win this, whilst SJ has the advantage with the 1 day rest. Go for it, guys!

now THIS is where Brunner needs to be on the pp. In or around the slot. Not on the blue line.

The more games I see, the more I think that it's a bad idea of Badcock to let Brunner play on the blue line in pp. He never keeps the puck for more than 1 second, meaning that
a) he's quicker than anyone in the team
or
b) he doesn't take time to grasp the situation

In any case, it hasn't worked out. Also, the plan to have him move quickly into the slot area after he plays a pass or shoots exposes the team to breakaways, since he's often not sufficiently backed up.

I'd love to see him play the pp in the slot or corner area, where his quickness and sniper qualities would make for better chances.

I don't understand why it was Brunner's fault. Where was the D? If the D was in the right position, Brunner wouldn't have had to attempt to get his stick in the way.

In this situation, Brunner WAS THE D man! That's why it was his mistake.

We have a shooting problem. Brunner shoots. So far we're hyped because the kid picked a corner tonight and chances find him so easily when he's on a line with one of our playmakers.

I see. Yes, he shoots, and not too bad, that's for sure.

I agree he needs to be more aggressive in the corners, but he's playing safe. And honestly it might be what Babcock wants him to do. I believe they want him trying to get open in the offensive zone rather then muck in the corners. He has made a few bad reads defensively, but honestly he's been impressive playing top line minutes. He's doing what he's asked, so that's why we are high on him.

Is he really doing what he's asked? I doubt it. Thus far he's been playing like Jason Spezza during the lockout in Switzerland, i.e., a total diva who really tries to avoid any contact to opponents. No team can afford such a player in the Swiss League, yet in the NHL!

That said, I agree that he should get some more time to adapt, but he really needs to go after the puck in every situation where it's reasonable. He hasn't done this, neither in the defense zone nor during PPs...

What kind of guy are you?

Swiss guy. Know the Swiss League very well but enjoying NHL too.

Seen Brunner for years. I'm not a fan of EV Zug (his former team), and as such, not too desolate about seeing him playing in the NHL now